Buoy having means for self-generating electricity using wave power and method of generating electric energy in such buoy

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a buoy having a means for self-generating electricity using wave power. The buoy includes a float body floating on the sea, and a lower actuating unit extending though a hole formed at the center portion of the float body in such a way as to be vertically set through the body and rectilinearly reciprocating through the body in a vertical direction due to a difference in a moving velocity between the float body and the actuating body when the body is moved by waves. An electric generator is mounted on the float body and generates electric energy by a rotating force generated by conversion of a vertical reciprocating movement of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of a pinion engaging with a rack formed along the upper portion of the actuating unit. An upper support unit is installed on the float body for supporting the lower actuating unit. The buoy also has a lamp indicating a position of the buoy using the electric energy generated by the electric generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a buoy keeping afloat for marking sea routes or dangerous zones, and more particularly, to a buoy having a means for self-generating electricity using wave power, which converts the wave power of the undulating sea water into electric energy and uses this energy as a power for lighting, thus being permanently used at sea without additionally supplying electric power to the buoy.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Generally, several types marking means, including unmanned lighthouses, lamp buoys and marker buoys, have been used to mark safe sea routes and dangerous zones for safely guiding ships at sea. Such a marking means serves to mark the sea route or the dangerous zone by emitting light or transmitting electric waves while floating on the sea at a position around a designated sea route or a dangerous zone, and usually uses a dry battery as its power source.

[0005] However, in the conventional marking means, when the dry battery has been used for a predetermined period of time, the energy of the dry battery is completely exhausted, so the battery must be charged or replaced with a new one. Thus, the conventional marking means has a problem that, when it is required to charge or replace the battery with a new one, a person must get on board, go to a distant point around the marking means, draw the marking means having a considerable weight onto a ship, and disassemble the sealed casing housing the battery. Therefore, it is inconvenient for managers as well as difficult to charge the battery or replace the old battery with a new one.

[0006] Furthermore, the conventional marking means has another problem that a lot of batteries have to be produced and are frequently installed in place of the old batteries, so the conventional marking means causes unexpected increase of its management cost due to frequent replacement of the batteries, and leads to waste of natural resources as well as environmental pollution due to the wasted batteries.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, there has been proposed a device for generating electric energy for such marking means using wave power. However, such a conventional device must have an additional anchoring means, such as the land or a lighthouse, adjacent to the device so as to generate electric energy. That is, the conventional electric energy generating device has a problem in that it cannot be used in places where a means for anchoring or supporting the device does not exist, for example, in the middle of the ocean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a buoy having a means for self-generating electricity using wave power, which generates electric energy using wave power in the middle of the ocean in which there are no support means for the buoy, thus being permanently used at sea without requiring additional power sources.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of generating electric energy in such a buoy.

[0010] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a buoy having a means for self-generating electricity using wave power, comprising: a float body floating on the sea; a lower actuating unit extending though a hole formed at the center portion of the float body in such a way as to be vertically set through the body, and consisting of an upper portion moving up and down relative to the body and a lower portion sinking in the sea, the actuating unit rectilinearly reciprocating through the body in a vertical direction due to the difference in moving velocity between the float body and the actuating body when the body is moved by waves; an electric generator mounted on the float body and generating electric energy by converting a vertical reciprocating movement of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of a pinion engaging with a rack formed along the upper portion of the actuating unit; an upper support unit installed on the float body for supporting the lower actuating unit; and a lamp indicating a position of the buoy using the electric energy generated by the electric generator.

[0011] According to this invention, the lower actuating unit includes a lower support casing set through the hole formed at the center portion of the float body, a shaft passing through the support casing in such a way as to move up and down and provided on its upper portion with the rack, and a resisting plate mounted to the lower end of the shaft in such a way as to be perpendicular to the shaft, thus allowing the shaft to easily move up and down.

[0012] In the present invention, the resisting plate is subject to resistance when moving up and down in the sea, and has a circular shape of a predetermined diameter, or a predetermined polygonal shape.

[0013] Furthermore, according to this invention, the upper support unit includes an upper support casing installed on the float body, and an elastic member set in the support casing, and connected to the upper end of the shaft of the lower actuating unit for allowing the shaft to move up and down.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method of generating electric energy in the buoy, comprising the steps of: continuously moving the float body in a vertical direction by buoyancy in undulating sea water; vertically reciprocating the shaft of the lower actuating unit through the float body, while the resisting plate hardly moves in the waveless sea regardless of a vertical movement of the float body on the sea water; and converting the reciprocating movement of the shaft of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of the pinion engaging with the rack formed along the upper portion of the shaft, and operating the electric generator using the rotating movement of the pinion to generate electric energy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a buoy having a means for self-generating electricity using wave power, according to the preferred embodiment of this invention;

[0017]FIG. 2a is a sectional view of the buoy of this invention, when a wave is high; and

[0018]FIG. 2b is a sectional view of the buoy of this invention, when the wave is low.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a buoy using wave power, according to the preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0021] As shown in the drawing, according to this invention, the buoy 30 using wave power is provided with several units for converting the kinetic energy of undulating sea water into electric energy by means of an electric generator.

[0022] The buoy 30 includes a float body 1, a lower actuating unit 10, an electric generator 11, an upper support unit 14 and a lamp 15. The float body 1 floats on the surface ‘X’ of the sea. The lower actuating unit 10 extends though a hole formed at the center portion of the float body 1 in such a way as to be vertically set through the body 1, and consists of an upper portion moving in a vertical direction ‘A’ relative to the body 1 and a lower portion sinking in the sea ‘Y’. The lower actuating unit 10 rectilinearly reciprocates through the body 1 in a vertical direction due to a difference in the moving velocity between the float body 1 and the lower actuating unit 10 when the body 1 is moved by waves. The electric generator 11 is mounted on the float body 1, and generates electric energy by converting a vertical reciprocating movement of the lower actuating unit 10 into a rotating movement of a pinion 11 a engaging with a rack 17 formed along the upper portion of the actuating unit 10. The upper support unit 14 is installed on the float body 1 for supporting the lower actuating unit 10. The lamp 15 emits light using the electric energy generated by the electric generator 11, thus indicating the position of the buoy 30.

[0023] Through the hole formed at the center portion of the float body 1 is set a lower support casing 5 which has a hollow cylindrical shape such that a shaft 7 passes through the support casing 5. A resisting plate 9 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 7 to be perpendicular to the shaft 7. The resisting plate 9 is subject to resistance when moving up and down in the sea, and has a circular shape of a predetermined diameter, or a predetermined polygonal shape. The rack 17 is formed along the upper portion of the shaft 7 reciprocating through the float body 1, and engages with the pinion 11 a connected to a rotating shaft of the electric generator 11, thus reversibly rotating the shaft of the electric generator 11.

[0024] The upper support unit 14 is installed on the float body 1, and has an upper support casing 3, the inner space 22 of which communicates with the interior of the lower support casing 5. An elastic member 13 is axially set in the inner space 22 of the support casing 3. The elastic member 13 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 7 of the lower actuating unit 10 for allowing the shaft 7 to elastically move up and down. In this case, a spring, which has a desired elastic modulus determined in accordance with the size of the float body 1 and the weight of the lower actuating unit 10, may be used as the elastic member 13.

[0025] On the upper portion of the upper support casing 3 is installed the lamp 15, which indicates the position of the buoy 30 using the electricity generated by the electric generator 11 and is connected to the electric generator 11, and receives electricity from the electric generator 11.

[0026] The lower support casing 5 receives the shaft 7 of the lower actuating unit 10 in its inner space 43, and is made of a corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel, so as to be prevented from being corroded by sea water.

[0027] In this invention, components installed above the float body 1 are made of light materials, such as aluminum, to reduce the weight, whereas components sinking in the sea are made of heavy materials, such as stainless steel. That is, the buoy 30 of this invention is designed such that the lower part of the float body 1 is heavier than its upper part, thus always keeping the buoy 30 perpendicular to the water surface.

[0028] Further, the lamp 15, as an illuminating means, may be provided with a brightness measuring means, such as an electric circuit having a CDS cell, for lighting a lamp only on dark occasions, and provided with a power control means for intermittently lighting the lamp, thus preventing the electric energy from being wasted, but effectively utilizing the energy.

[0029] The electric generator 11 generates electric energy using the rotating movement of the pinion 11 a, connected to the rotating shaft (not shown) of the electric generator 11, regardless of the rotating directions of the pinion 11 a. This generator 11 is operated by converting the reciprocating movement of the shaft 7 into the rotating movement of the pinion 11 a engaging with the rack 17 formed along the upper portion of the shaft 7.

[0030] The electric generator 11 is housed in a sealed container (not shown), which also houses a power supply part consisting of an accumulator for storing the energy generated by the electric generator 11 and a charger (not shown).

[0031] The operation of the buoy using wave power constructed in this way will be described in detail with reference to the FIGS. 2a and 2 b.

[0032]FIG. 2a is a sectional view of the buoy of this invention, when a wave is high, and FIG. 2b is a sectional view of the buoy of this invention, when the wave is low.

[0033] Referring to the drawings, the rising height of the float body 1 floating on the sea is changed depending on the height of the wave. On the other hand, since the resisting plate 9 sinks in the sea where there is little movement of the wave, the moving activity of the resisting plate 9 is relatively less than that of the float body 1.

[0034] Therefore, there is a difference in the moving velocity between the float body 1 and the resisting plate 9, so the lower actuating unit 10 rectilinearly reciprocates through the float body 1, thus rotating the pinion 11 a of the electric generator 11 by the rack 17. At this time, the rotating shaft of the electric generator 11 is also rotated.

[0035] When the wave becomes high, the float body 1 moves upwards, but the resisting plate 9 sinking in the sea is subject to resistance of the seawater and doesn't move as high as the body 1 moves, so the shaft 7 moves downward, thus straining the elastic member 13 set in the upper support casing 3.

[0036] When the wave becomes low, the float body 1 moves downwards, but the resisting plate 9 doesn't move as low as the body 1 moves, so the shaft 7 moves upwards, thus returning the elastic member 13 to its original position or compressing the elastic member 13.

[0037] Consequently, as far as waves continuously move at different heights, the electric generator continues running, thus being capable of self-generating elasticity without requiring the supply of electric energy by a dry battery. In addition, the accumulator of the buoy accumulates surplus electric energy.

[0038] As described above, the present invention provides a buoy, which includes a float body moved by waves, a lower actuating unit extending through the center portion of the body and rectilinearly reciprocating through the body in a vertical direction due to a difference in the amount of movement between the float body and a resisting plate, and an electric generator operated by a rotating force generated by a conversion of a reciprocating movement of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of a pinion, thus easily generating the electric energy in the middle of the ocean where there is no support means, and substituting wave power for a dry battery as a source of the energy, therefore saving energy. Meanwhile, the conventional marking means has a problem in that it is necessary to replace or charge a battery. It is thus inconvenient to use the conventional marking means, in addition to taking time to replace or charge the battery. However, the buoy of this invention can solve such problems experienced by conventional marking means.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention provides a buoy, which has a resisting plate sinking in the sea, thus being capable of self-generating electric energy using wave power in shallow sea as well as deep sea, and is used at a fixed structure, such as a fixed float body, as well as a moving device, such as a ship.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A buoy having means for self-generating electricity using wave power, comprising: a float body floating on the sea; a lower actuating unit extending though a hole formed at a center portion of said float body in such a way as to be vertically set through the body, and consisting of an upper portion moving up and down relative to the body and a lower portion sinking in the sea, said actuating unit rectilinearly reciprocating through the body in a vertical direction due to a difference in a moving velocity between the float body and the actuating body when the body is moved by waves; an electric generator mounted on said float body and generating electric energy by converting a vertical reciprocating movement of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of a pinion engaging with a rack formed along the upper portion of said actuating unit; an upper support unit installed on the float body for supporting said lower actuating unit; and a lamp indicating a position of the buoy using the electric energy generated by said electric generator.
 2. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein said lower actuating unit comprises: a lower support casing set through the hole formed at the center portion of the float body; a shaft passing through the support casing in such a way as to move up and down, and provided on an upper portion thereof with the rack; and a resisting plate mounted to a lower end of the shaft in such a way as to be perpendicular to the shaft.
 3. The buoy according to claim 2, wherein said resisting plate is subject to resistance when moving up and down in the sea, and has a circular shape of a predetermined diameter, or a predetermined polygonal shape.
 4. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein said upper support unit comprises: an upper support casing installed on said float body; and an elastic member set in said support casing, and connected to an upper end of the shaft of the lower actuating unit for allowing the shaft to move up and down, said elastic member 13 connecting to the upper end of the shaft of the lower actuating unit for allowing the shaft to elastically move up and down.
 5. A method of generating electric energy in a buoy having means for self-generating electricity using wave power, said buoy including a float body floating on the sea; a lower actuating unit extending through a hole formed at a center portion in such a way as to be vertically set through the body, and having a shaft provided along an upper portion thereof with a rack, and a resisting plate mounted to a lower end of the shaft in such a way as to be perpendicular to the shaft and sunk in the sea; an electric generator mounted on said float body for generating electric energy by a rotation of a pinion engaging with said rack; an upper support unit installed on the float body for supporting said lower actuating unit; and a lamp indicating a position of the buoy using the electric energy generated by said electric generator, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) continuously moving the float body in a vertical direction by buoyancy in undulating sea water; (b) vertically reciprocating the shaft of the lower actuating unit through the float body, while the resisting plate hardly moves in a waveless sea regardless of a vertical movement of the float body on the sea water; and (c) converting the reciprocating movement of the shaft of the lower actuating unit into a rotating movement of the pinion engaging with the rack formed along the upper portion of the shaft, and operating the electric generator using the rotating movement of the pinion to generate electric energy. 